Does trazodone help with irritability? (+5 factors)
By
Ivan Kahwa
Author bio
Mr Ivan Kahwa is a chemist and phytopharmaceutical scientist with expertise in chemistry, pharmacology, phytochemistry, and Nanobiotechnology. He writes and reviews content on these topics.
Mr Ivan Kahwa’s Highlights:
Guest Researcher at the University of Leipzig, Senior Research Fellow/Scientist, and Lecturer at the Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
Professional Experience:
Mr Ivan joined PHARMBIOTRAC as a research fellow/scientist during his master of science tenure. He contributed to the development of most of the phytopharmaceutical products in the project. Furthermore, he participated in carrying out the pharmacological activities of the developed products in laboratory animals such as mice and rats in order to develop proper doses hence leading to pre-clinical studies.
With the above relevant research experience, Ivan started to work with the University of Leipzig on collaborative projects with Mbarara University to develop the chemistry of Ugandan Medicinal plants and their pharmacological activities. This was coupled with several consultative positions by different German NGOs. Mr. Kahwa is also a supporting in the teaching and learning at the Departments of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
With the increase in antimicrobial resistance globally, Ivan retooled his thinking towards developing new naturally derived antibiotic regimens from Ugandan propolis with the assistance of nanotechnology to improve their delivery to microbial cells. Kahwa has also published over 28 articles in peer-reviewed journals and he is currently reviewing for many journals.
Education:
2023-2027: PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences (ongoing) with a focus on Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Nanobiology at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
2022: 2Msc. in Pharmacognosy and Natural Medicine Science at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
2018: Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
Publications:
▪ Iqbal, S., Jabeen, F., Kahwa, I., & Omara, T. 2023. Suberosin Alleviates Thiazolidinedione-Induced Cardiomyopathy in Diabetic Rats by Inhibiting Ferroptosis via Modulation of ACSL4-LPCAT3 and PI3K-AKT Signaling Pathways. Cardiovascular Toxicology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12012-023-09804-7
▪ Gupta, A. K., Yadav, R., Sharma, S., Sawale, J., & Kahwa, I. 2023. Anti-ageing Activity and Antioxidant Activity of Methanol Extracts of Leaves and Flowers of Salvia officinalis and Rosmarinus officinalis. Journal of Young Pharmacists, 15(3), 448–455. https://doi.org/10.5530/jyp.2023.15.60
▪ Tolo, C.U., Kahwa, I., Nuwagira, U., Weisheit, A. and Ikiriza, H., 2023. Medicinal plants used in treatment of various diseases in the Rwenzori Region, Western Uganda. Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 25, pp.1-16.
https://ethnobotanyjournal.org/index.php/era/article/view/4683
▪ Kahwa, I., Ajayi, C.O., Yadav, R., Chauhan, N.S., Shah, K., Abdelgadir, A.A., Shegena, E.A., Daniel, S., Omara, T., Asiimwe, J.B. and Ikiriza, H., 2023. Pharmacognostic and phytochemical studies as an invaluable approach for correct identification of medicinal plants: The case of Artemisia vulgaris L. substituted for Artemisia annua L. in Western Uganda. TMR Integr Med, 7, p.e23004.
https://doi.org/10.53388/TMRIM202307004
▪ Nalimu, F., Oloro, J., Kahwa, I. and Ogwang, P.E., 2021. Review on the phytochemistry and toxicological profiles of Aloe vera and Aloe ferox. Future Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 7, pp.1-21.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s43094-021-00296-2
▪ Elamin, O.H.S., Ali, M.A., Elgezuli, I.A.A., Bashir, M.A. and Kahwa, I., 2021. Diagnosis of pre-and post-treatment of echinococcus granulosus with counter current immune electrophoresis and bacterial co-agglutination. Journal of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, 11(02), pp.88-94.
https://doi.org/10.5799/jmid.951600
Published book Chapter
▪ Kahwa, I., Ayesiga, I., Nakalema, S., Alinaiswe, R., Mbabazi, R. and Iqbal, S., 2023. Natural products in the management of onchocerciasis. In Natural Products in Vector-Borne Disease Management (pp. 63-80). Academic Press. Book Chapter.
https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-91942-5.00012-4
Submitted manuscripts Under Review:
▪ Comparison of the Wound Healing Activity of the Leaf and Leaf Ash Extracts of Vernonia amygdalina in Rats. Journal name: Clinical Phytoscience
▪ Ethnobotanical Survey of Medicinal plants used in the management of cancer in Uganda. Journal name: Journal of Herbal Medicine
▪ Ethnobotanical survey and phytochemical screening of medicinal plants used in treatment of epilepsy by PROMETRA-Uganda Traditional Health Practitioners in Mpigi District, Uganda. Journal name: Journal of Ethnopharmacology
Submitted book chapters under review
1.Book title: Algae as a Natural Solution for Water-Food-Energy Nexus, Section 4: Microalgae and cyanobacteria for food applications, Chapter 4.6: Safety, toxicological and allergenic aspects of using algae for food. Authors: Christine Kyarimpa, Tom Omute, Caroline K. Nakiguli, Alice V. Khanakwa4, Christopher Angiro, Ivan Kahwa, Fortunate Ahumuza, Timothy Omara*. Publisher: Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 152 Beach Road, #21-01/04 Gateway East, Singapore 189721, Singapore.
2.Book title: Nutraceuticals Inspiring the Contemporary Therapy for Lifestyle Diseases. Chapter: Nutraceutical applications of Seaweeds and their Phytocompounds in Nutrition and Treatment of Diseases. Authors: Ivan Kahwa, Timothy Omara , Innocent Ayesiga , Gael Noel Neh Neba Ambe , Zehbanaz Javidbhai Panwala , Rachel Mbabazi , Shabnoor Iqbal , Christine Kyarimpa , Christine Betty Nagawa , Kamal Shah ,Nagendra Singh Chauhan* Publisher: CRC Press
You can view my works on the following professional sites:
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ivan-Kahwa
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=tOwrvqoAAAAJ&hl=en
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6440-3437
Linkedin: https://de.linkedin.com/in/ivan-kahwa-865450159
In this article, we will discuss the effects of trazodone for the treatment of irritation. We will discuss whether trazodone is an effective medication to cure irritation or agitation or not. Furthermore, we will look at some factors that are commonly associated with irritation among patients.
Does trazodone help with irritability?
Trazodone may help with irritability. Trazodone is an FDA-approved antidepressant for the treatment of major depressive disorder. Trazodone is not primarily prescribed for the treatment of irritability.
Trazodone belongs to the serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitor antidepressant drug class. It is an approved medication for anxiety, depression, and other related psychotherapies (1).
However, trazodone is sometimes prescribed off-label for the treatment of mood-related symptoms. Its serotonin-modulating effects may contribute to improving the mood and well-being of patients while potentially helping with irritability and anxiety in some patients.
If you are experiencing irritability and mood-related symptoms, it is essential to discuss them with your healthcare provider. They may evaluate and assess your health condition and provide you with the most appropriate treatment approach.
How does trazodone relieve irritability symptoms?
Trazodone may help relieve symptoms of agitation or irritability due to its mechanism of action. It is generally considered a safe antidepressant and does not mess up with patients and their relative symptoms regarding the treatment of depression or anxiety.
Trazodone exerts its action by inhibiting both serotonin transporters leading to increased levels of serotonin in the brain and blocking type-2 serotonin receptors through which it induces antidepressant activity (1).
Due to this combined action of increasing serotonin levels and modulating its activity, trazodone exerts its mood-enhancing properties. This action also helps in alleviating symptoms of anxiety and irritability in patients (1).
What does research suggest?
Based on a research study, trazodone at a dose of 25mg t.i.d was administered to 13 patients with Alzheimer’s disease for a 10-day pilot study. These patients were suffering from anxiety, restlessness, and irritability (2).
The behavioral and effective disturbances of these patients were observed after completion of the study in which irritability, anxiety, and restlessness were all reduced (2).
However, the results of this study concluded that trazodone can help correct behavioral and other psychiatric disturbances in patients such as irritability and agitation. Trazodone exerts these effects due to serotonin depletion in the brain (2).
What are the potential factors that may cause irritability?
Following are some potential factors that may induce irritability and agitation due to trazodone in some patients:
- Stress and sleep disturbances- Due to the lack of sleep and stress management, many people can suffer from irritation and agitation due to the disturbances in their regular sleep-wake cycles.
- Hormonal imbalance- Due to the fluctuations in hormonal levels, your mood can be affected which leads to irritation and agility.
- Drug interactions- Taking various drugs concomitantly may alter your metabolism and it can affect your mood causing irritability and agitation.
- Underlying conditions- Certain underlying or pre-existing health conditions can influence mood and lead to irritation.
- Individual patient variation- Each patient responds differently to various medications. Some patients are more prone to agility and irritation and are quickly irritated.
What are the ways to manage irritability while taking trazodone?
If you are taking trazodone and it does not help in relieving symptoms related to agitation and irritability, then consult your doctor and discuss your health issues.
You must strictly stick to the prescription provided by your doctor and make sure you are taking the right dosage of trazodone at the right time. You must also ensure that trazodone is not expired otherwise, it may not be effective and can have serious complications.
Your doctor might reduce the dose of trazodone to ensure that the symptoms of irritability are exacerbated by the dosage of trazodone or not. Sometimes trazodone can also cause irritation and agility in some patients.
If the irritation still persists, then your doctor might consider changing the antidepressant medication to another drug to ensure safe, efficient, and timely treatment of irritability and agitation.
In my opinion, trazodone is a safe antidepressant among others. It may not cause severe complications and can help relieve mild irritability. However, if your symptoms do not start reducing over 2-4 weeks, then you must seek medical help and go for a drug switch to a more efficient medication.
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References
1.-
Shin JJ, Saadabadi A. Trazodone. [Updated 2022 Jul 10]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470560/
2.-
Lebert F, Pasquier F, Petit H. Behavioral effects of trazodone in Alzheimer’s disease. J Clin Psychiatry. 1994 Dec;55(12):536-8. PMID: 7814348. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7814348/
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